Heated roof panel

ABSTRACT

A heated roof panel includes a heated insert, a bottom panel, and a top panel. The heated insert is configured to receive a heating element. The bottom panel is configured to couple to an outer margin of a roof. The top panel is configured to cover a region of a roof, cover the heated insert, and cover substantially all of the bottom panel. The top panel includes a thermally conductive material. The top panel includes an upper locking portion on an upper edge of the top panel and a lower locking portion on a lower edge of the top panel.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/151,567 entitled “Heated Roof Panel” filed on Jun. 2, 2011, andwhich claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/351,198entitled “Heated Roof Panel” filed on Jun. 3, 2010, each of which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of this disclosure relates to heating devices, particularly toheated roof panels that inhibit snow and ice from building up on roofsof buildings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments disclosed herein will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only typicalembodiments, which will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a roof panel, according toone embodiment, for heating a portion of a roof.

FIG. 2 is fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment of a roofpanel, oriented as if it were installed on a roof.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective of another embodiment of a roofpanel, including a heated insert.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a heated insert.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a heatedinsert.

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a heatedinsert.

FIG. 5A is an assembled view of a heated roof panel.

FIG. 5B is an exploded view of the heated roof panel of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a heated roof panel.

FIG. 7A is an exploded view of an embodiment of a heated roof panelincluding a drip edge.

FIG. 7B is an assembled view of the heated roof panel of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is an exploded view of a heated roof panel configured for use ina roof valley.

FIG. 8B is an assembled view of the heated roof panel of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a heated snowfence assembly.

FIG. 10 is a cover configured for use with a heated roof system.

FIG. 11 is an end cap configured for use with a heated roof system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Heated roof panels may be configured with inserts and claddingconfigured to protect the components of the system and transfer heat tosnow, ice, or water on a roof. In some instances panels may be designedas part of an expandable system, with multiple panels configured to beinstalled to cover a portion of a roof. Moreover, panels may beconfigured such that outer portions of the panels create a sealedcladding system, which may be configured to reduce the potential forleaks.

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, asgenerally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could bearranged and designed in a variety of configurations. Thus, thefollowing more detailed description of various embodiments, asrepresented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. Whilethe various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, thedrawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specificallyindicated.

With reference to the above-listed drawings, this section describesparticular embodiments and their detailed construction and operation.The embodiments described herein are set forth by way of illustrationonly and not limitation. Skilled persons will recognize, in light of theteachings herein, that there is a range of equivalents to the exampleembodiments described herein. Most notably, other embodiments arepossible, variations can be made to the embodiments described herein,and there may be equivalents to the components, parts, or steps thatmake up the described embodiments.

For the sake of clarity and conciseness, certain aspects of componentsor steps of certain embodiments are presented without undue detail wheresuch detail would be apparent to skilled persons in light of theteachings herein and/or where such detail would obfuscate anunderstanding of more pertinent aspects of the embodiments.

The phrases “connected to,” “coupled to,” and “in communication with”refer to any form of interaction between two or more entities, includingmechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermalinteraction. Two components may be coupled to each other even thoughthey are not in direct contact with each other. For example, twocomponents may be coupled to each other through an intermediatecomponent.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a roof panel 100, accordingto one embodiment, for heating a portion of a roof. The illustrated roofpanel 100 comprises a bottom member 110 coupled to a top member 120. Acavity 130 is present between the bottom member 110 and the top member120. As discussed in more detail below, a heated insert (not shown inFIG. 1) may be configured to be disposed within the cavity 130.

In some embodiments the roof panel 100 may be coupled to a roof (notshown) by fastening the bottom member 110 to a portion of the roof. Thebottom member 110 may be disposed substantially flat along the roof andmay be coupled to the roof through any means, including adhesives,nails, screws, clips, and so on. The bottom member 110 may further beconfigured with one or more ridges 112. Such ridges 112 may providesupport and rigidity to the roof panel 100. For example, in someinstance the ridge 112 may transfer a load placed on the top member 120of the roof panel 100 to the bottom member 110 and then to the roof. Asanother example, in some embodiments the ridge 112 may prevent the topmember 120 from buckling or crushing when it is stepped on.

The top member 120 may be configured with an upper locking portion 124configured to couple the top member 120 to an upper locking portion 114of the bottom member 110. Similarly, the top member 120 may further becoupled to the bottom member 110 by a lower locking portion 126 of thetop member 120 and a lower locking portion 116 of the bottom member 110.

In some embodiments, the roof panel 100 may be configured such that anyand all points at which the roof panel 100 is pierced by an attachmentcomponent (such as a screw or a nail) are covered by a portion of theroof panel 100. For example, the bottom member 110 of a roof panel 100may be coupled to the roof by roofing nails. The top member 120 may beconfigured to cover the top surface of the bottom member 110, therebyalso covering each roofing nail. The upper locking portions 114, 124 andthe lower locking portions 116, 126 may then be utilized to couple thetop member 120 to the bottom member 110 without piercing the top member120. Thus, the roof panel 100 may be designed as a sealed unit. In someembodiments, attachment points in the bottom member 110 may still besealed (though use of silicone, tar, rubber washers, and so on)notwithstanding the sealing effect of the top member 120.

In some embodiments a roof panel 100 may also comprise a drip edgecomponent 105. The drip edge component 105 may be configured to coupleto the roof under the bottom member 110. In some embodiments, attachmentcomponents, such as nails, may extend from the top surface of the bottommember 110, through both the bottom member 110 and a portion of the dripedge component 105 and into the roof. The drip edge component 105 may beconfigured to allow the roof panel 100 to work in connection with otherroofing components such as fascia, rain gutters, and so on.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of another embodiment roofpanel 200 that can, in certain respects, resemble components of the roofpanel 100 described in connection with FIG. 1 above. It will beappreciated that all the illustrated embodiments may have analogousfeatures. Accordingly, like features are designated with like referencenumerals, with the leading digits incremented to “2.” (For instance, theroof panel is designated “100” in FIG. 1 and an analogous roof panel isdesignated “200” in FIG. 2.) Relevant disclosure set forth aboveregarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeatedhereafter. Moreover, specific features of the roof panel and relatedcomponents shown in FIG. 2 may not be shown or identified by a referencenumeral in the drawings or specifically discussed in the writtendescription that follows. However, such features may clearly be thesame, or substantially the same, as features depicted in otherembodiments and/or described with respect to such embodiments.Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such features apply equally tothe features of the roof panel of FIG. 2. Any suitable combination ofthe features, and variations of the same, described with respect to theroof panel and components illustrated in FIG. 1 can be employed with theroof panel and components of FIG. 2, and vice versa. This pattern ofdisclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted in subsequentfigures and described hereafter.

FIG. 2 is another embodiment of a roof panel 200, oriented as if it wereinstalled on a roof. Like the roof panel of FIG. 1, roof panel 200 iscomprised of a bottom member 210 and a top member 220 coupled to eachother by upper locking portions 214, 224 and lower locking portions 216,226. The bottom member 210 includes a ridge 212. The roof panel 200 alsocomprises a cavity 230 disposed between the top member 220 and thebottom member 210. Further, the roof panel 200 includes a drip edgecomponent 205.

The drip edge component 205 may be configured to allow the roof panel200 to work in connection with other roofing components. For example,FIG. 2 illustrates a rain gutter 50 disposed such that water running offthe top member 220 and onto the drip edge component 205 will fall intothe rain gutter 50. Providing a drip edge component 205 as part of theroof panel 200 may enable the roof panel 200 to function in connectionwith other components without the need to couple such components in amanner that would pierce the top member 220 of the roof panel 200. Thus,the drip edge component 205 may function to allow the roof panel 200 tointerface with roofing components such as rain gutters 50 or fascia (notshown).

In some embodiments, the roof panel 200 may be configured to be heated.In particular, in some embodiments the cavity 230 may be configured toreceive a heating element such as heating coils, hydronic tubing, orother components that may further be configured to accommodate heatingelements. In some embodiments, the roof panel 200 may be configured withmore than one such cavity 230.

Heat generated, transferred, or stored in elements disposed with thecavity 230 may then be transferred to the other components of the roofpanel 200, including the top member 220. Heating the top member 220 maybe configured to remove snow or ice build-up on the panel, or to preventwater on the panel from freezing at all. In the embodiment of FIG. 2,snow 70 is shown on a portion of the top member 220. Heat generated,transferred, or stored within the cavity may be used to melt the snow 70as described above.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective of another embodiment of a roofpanel 300, including a heated insert 340. Like roof panels disclosedherein, roof panel 300 is comprised of a bottom member 310 and a topmember 320 coupled to each other by upper locking portions 314, 324 andlower locking portions 316, 326. The bottom member 310 includes a ridge312. The roof panel 300 also comprises a cavity 330 disposed between thetop member 320 and the bottom member 310. Further, the roof panel 300includes a drip edge component 305.

The heated insert 340 is disposed within the cavity 330. As disclosedabove, the heated insert 340 may be part of a system configured togenerate, transfer, or store heat. The heated insert 340 may thustransfer heat to other components of the roof panel 300 in order to heatthe roof panel 300 to melt snow and ice, or prevent such from forming.Thus, in some embodiments, external elements of the roof panel, such asthe bottom member 310, top member 320, or drip edge 305 may beconstructed of materials with relatively high thermal conductivity. Forexample, these elements may be made of 24 gauge steel in someembodiments.

Additionally, portions of the roof panel 300 may be configured tosurround and protect the heating elements used in connection with theheated insert 340. As used herein, components such as the bottom member310, top member 320, and drip edge component 305 that surround theheated insert 340 may be referred to as cladding components. Thecladding components may form a barrier between snow, ice, water,sunlight, and other environmental elements and the heated insert 340.Analogous to how the cladding components can be configured to sealattachment points between the roof panel 300 and the roof, the claddingcomponents can thus seal the heated insert 340. The cladding componentsmay be coated with a KYNAR® finish, which may increase the durability ofthe components.

In some embodiments the heated insert 340 may be configured withchannels 345. These channels 345 may be configured to receive heatingelements, such as heating coils, wires, hydronic tubing, and so on. Thechannels 345 may function in connection with the cladding components toprotect the heating elements. For example, a heating coil disposedwithin a channel would be protected from loads on the top surface of theroof panel as the top member 320 would transfer the load to the heatedinsert 340 and the bottom member 310, while the coils disposed withinthe channel 345 would not be subjected to the load. Thus, for instance,if a person were to step on a portion of the roof with included heatingcoils, the roof panel 300 would protect the coils from the load.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a heated insert400. FIGS. 4B and 4C are cross-sectional views of further embodiments ofheated inserts 400′ and 400″. Each heated insert 400, 400′, 400″ mayhave analogous components. Thus, while the majority of the currentdisclosure may refer specifically to one heated insert, the disclosureis equally relevant to analogous components of the other inserts, unlessotherwise stated. (For example, disclosure provided in connection withelement 445 is applicable to elements 445′ and 445″.)

In some embodiments, the heated insert may be composed of aluminum andformed by extrusion. In other embodiments other materials, such assteel, copper, or composite materials, may be used. Likewise, otherforming processes, such as casting, milling, or forging, may be used toform the heated insert 440.

The heated insert 440 may include channels 445 that may be configured toreceive heating elements. For instance, the channels 445 may accommodatea number of heating elements, such as electrical heater cable, forexample, heating coils and/or hydronic tubing. The channels may be sizedto accommodate the desired heating element or combination therefor. Forexample, a heating system may be designed to use 0.5 inch OD PEX tubingas hydronic tubing. In such an example, one or more channels in theheated insert 440 could be configured to receive the 0.5 inch OD PEXtubing. Further, the heated insert 440 may include channels of varyingsizes. In some instances, the channels 445 may be so designed such thatone size of channel (for example, the smaller channels) is sized toreceive heating wire while the other size (for example, the largerchannels) is configured to receive hydronic tubing. In some embodimentsall the channels may be the same size, while in other embodiments allchannels may be different sizes.

The heated insert 440 may also include a recess 448. (Note that in theembodiment of FIG. 4C there are two recesses 448″ in the top surface ofthe heated insert 440″.) These recesses 440 may also be configured toreceive heating elements in some instances.

The heated insert 440 may be formed in a variety of widths, depending onthe desired application. For example, in some instances a heated insert440 may be from about 2 inches wide to about 28 inches wide, includinginserts that are about 4 inches wide to about 6.25 inches wide andinserts that are about 6 inches wide to about 24 inches wide. The numberof channels 445 an insert can accommodate, as well as the distancebetween each channel, may be configured based on factors such as thesize of the heated insert 440, the anticipated heating load, and so on.

The heated insert 440 may also include a temperature sensor (not shown)to monitor and control the temperature of heated insert 440 and/orcladding elements when the roof panel is in use. The temperature sensormay be in communication with a control system (not shown) and may beconfigured to optimize energy consumption.

The heated insert 440 may also be configured with a side locking portion442 on each side of the heated insert 440. The side locking portions 442may have a generally convex shape and be formed by a first portion 443intersecting a second portion 444 at an angle. As disclosed below, theseside locking portions 442 may be used to couple other elements to theheated insert 440. In some embodiments the heated insert 440 may onlyhave a locking portion 442 on one side. Furthermore, though the sidelocking portion 442 is shown having a generally convex shape, it iswithin the scope of this disclosure to create a similar featureutilizing a concave shape.

FIG. 5A is an assembled view of a heated roof panel 500, and FIG. 5B isan exploded view of the same heated roof panel 500. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, the roof panel comprises a first top member 520 a, a second topmember 520 b, a first bottom member 510 a, and a second bottom member510 b. Further, the roof panel 500 comprises three heated inserts 540 a,540 b, and 540 c.

The first top member 520 a may be configured to couple to the second topmember 520 b through an expansion joint 521, 521′ on each piece. Theexpansion joints 521, 521′ may be formed by a bend on each of the firsttop member 520 a and the second top member 520 b. Each bend may definean inside slot portion 522, 522′ and a tab portion 523, 523′. The tab523 of the second top member 520 b may slide into the slot 522′ of thefirst top member 520 a and the tab 523′ of the second top member 520 binto the slot 522 of the first top member 520 a. In this manner thefirst 520 a and second 520 b top members may be coupled together by apartially overlapping expansion joint 521, 521′. The joints 521, 521′are such that when one or both of the first 520 a and second top member520 b move (for instance due to thermal expansion) the tabs 523, 523′may slide within the slots 522, 522′ without separating. Thus, in someembodiments the system may comprise expansion joints that are configuredto seal without the use of fasteners. In the illustrated embodiment, thesecond top member 520 b is configured to couple to the upper portion ofthe first bottom member 520 a such that the second top member 520 b isdisposed over the first top member 520 a. Such an arrangement may beconfigured to prevent water on the roof from seeping below the topmembers 520 a, 520 b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first bottom member 510 a and secondbottom member 510 b are configured to couple to each other by the secondbottom member 510 b overlapping the first bottom member 510 a. Ridges orother features of each bottom member 510 a, 510 b may be configured withthe similar profiles to aid in coupling the pieces. Further, because thebottom members 510 a, 510 b may be directly fasted to the roof, in someembodiments a fastener such as a nail or screw may be positioned to passthrough both the first 510 a and second 510 b bottom members. In otherembodiments the first 510 a and second 510 b bottom members may beconfigured with an expansion joint similar to the joint 522 or by othermethods.

The first top member 520 a has a lower locking portion 526 and thesecond top member has an upper locking portion 524. Like otherembodiments, these portions are configured to couple the top members 520a, 520 b to the bottom members 510 a, 510 b by coupling with a lowerlocking portion 516 on the first bottom member 510 a and an upperlocking portion 514 on the second bottom member 510 b. Thus, the two topmembers 520 a, 520 b and the two bottom members 510 a, 510 b functiontogether much like the single top and bottom members of otherembodiments. Similarly, in some embodiments a roof panel may be composedof more than two top and two bottom members. Through use of expansionjoints and overlapping joints, a system may incorporate any number oftop and bottom members. Similarly, the system could likewise beconfigured with any number of heated inserts. Thus, in some embodiments,the system may be indefinitely expandable.

Like other embodiments disclosed herein, the embodiment of FIGS. 5A and5B includes the upper locking portions 524, 514 and the lower lockingportions 526, 516. As further disclosed below, these portions may beutilized to couple the top members 520 a, 520 b to the bottom members510 a, 510 b without piercing the top members 520 a, 520 b.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a heated roof panel600. The illustrated embodiment is comprised of a bottom member 610, atop member 620, and two heated inserts 640 a, 640 b. Again, like otherembodiments herein disclosed, the top member 620 is configured to coupleto the bottom member 610 through use of the upper locking portions 614,624 and the lower locking portions 616, 626.

An upper locking portion 614 located on the bottom member 610 may beconfigured to couple to an upper locking portion 624 of the top member620. The lower locking portion 614 may consist of a tab or flange 615configured to be inserted into a slot 625 on the upper locking portion624 of the top member. The slot 625 may be formed by a simple bend inthe top member 620. In some embodiments, the bottom member 610 mayinitially be coupled to the roof. The upper locking portions 614, 624may then be engage by sliding the slot 625 over the tab 615, therebypartially coupling the top member 620 to the bottom member 610. The topmember 620 may be fully coupled to the bottom member by then engagingthe lower locking portions 616, 626.

The lower locking portion 616 of the bottom member 610 may generallyform a convex shape and comprise a first portion 617 and a secondportion 618 that meet at an angle. The top member 620 lower lockingportion 626 may comprise a complimentary convex shape and be formed of afirst portion 627 and a second portion 628. The top member 620 andbottom member 610 may be sized such that, when the upper lockingportions 614, 624 are engaged the lower locking portions 616, 626 are inline with each other. The lower locking portions 616, 626 may be engagedby slightly deforming the second portion 628 on the top member 620 suchthat it may pass over the first portion 617 on the bottom member 610.Once the second portion 628 is past the first portion 617, the secondportion 628 may be configured to spring back such that the secondportion 618 on the bottom member 610 is disposed adjacent to the secondportion 628 of the top member 620. The first portions 617, 627 of eachmember 610, 620 may likewise be disposed adjacent to each other.Furthermore, though the disclosure above and the drawings illustratelocking portions with generally convex shapes, it is within the scope ofthis disclosure to create a similar feature with a concave shape.

In this manner the lower locking portions 616, 626 may be configured to“snap” together. Once the lower locking portions 616, 626 are engagedthe upper locking portions 614, 624 may not be able to slip out ofengagement without first displacing the lower locking portions 616, 626.Thus, in some embodiments, the system may be coupled to a roof byutilizing fasteners to couple the bottom member 610, the heated inserts640 a, 640 b, and/or any other component to the roof, and “snapping” thetop member 620 over the assembly to seal the system.

FIG. 7A is an exploded view of an embodiment of a heated roof panel 700including a drip edge 705 component, and FIG. 7B is an assembled view ofheated roof panel 700. The embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B includes a topmember 720 and a bottom member 710 as well as a heated insert 740.Further, the roof panel 700 includes upper locking portions 714, 724 andlower locking portions 716, 726. Comparison of FIGS. 7A and 7Billustrate how a tab 715 and a slot 725 of the upper locking portions714, 724 may be engaged/disengaged and how the first 717, 727 and second718, 728 portions of the lower locking portions 716, 726 may bedisengaged and snapped into an engaged position.

Roof panel 700 also includes a drip edge component 705. Like the bottommember 710 and the heated insert 740, the drip edge 705 may be coupledto the roof in any manner, including through use of nails or screws. Asin other embodiments, the top member 720 may be configured to snap over,and seal, the entire assembly.

FIG. 8A is an exploded view of a heated roof panel 800 configured foruse in a roof valley, and FIG. 8B is an assembled view of heated roofpanel 800. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A, and 8B, the roof panel 800 hasidentical components on its right and left sides. Analogous componentsare designated by the same numeral, with an “a” following the numeralfor components on the left and a “b” following the numeral forcomponents on the right. Disclosure recited in connection with one sideof the roof panel 800 is equally applicable to the other side. In someembodiments a roof panel designed for a valley may not necessarily besymmetrical.

The roof panel 800 includes a bottom member 850 as well as two topmembers 820 a, 820 b and two heated inserts 840 a, 840 b. The topmembers 820 a, 820 b may couple to the bottom member 850 through upperlocking portions 814 a, 814 b, 824 a, 824 b, which incorporate tabs 815a, 815 b and slots 825 a, 825 b. In some embodiments the heated inserts840 a, 840 b may be coupled to the roof much as the bottom member 850.The top members 820 a, 820 b may also be configured with lower sidelocking portions 835 a, 835 b configured to couple to the side lockingportions 842 of the heated inserts 840 a, 840 b. The side lockingportions 835 a, 835 b may have first portions 836 a, 836 b and secondportions 837 a, 837 b configured to snap onto similarly shaped portionsof the side locking portions 842 of the heated inserts 840 a, 840 b.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a heated snowfence assembly. The assemblyincludes a snowfence 960 that includes a cleat 965. The snowfence 960may be coupled to a roof 80 such that the cleat 965 tends to preventsnow from sliding off the roof 80. In some embodiments the snowfence 960may be used in connection with a heated insert 940. The heated insert940 may have side lock portions 942 on each side of the heated insert940, which may be configured to couple to similarly shaped side lockportions 962 on the snowfence 960. The snowfence 960 may thus “snap”onto the heated insert 940. In embodiments where the heated insert 940is coupled to the roof 80 through use of fasteners that penetrate theroof 80, the snowfence 960 may be configured to enclose and seal thesystem.

FIG. 10 is a cover 970 configured for use with a heated roof system. Thecover 970 may include side lock portions 972 configured to snap ontosimilarly shaped portions of other components, such as a heated insert.Thus, the cover 970 of FIG. 10 may couple to a roof or other componentsof a heated roof system in a similar manner to the snowfence 960 of FIG.9.

The snowfence 960 of FIG. 9 and the cover 970 of FIG. 10 may beconfigured for use with other components herein disclosed (such as topand bottom cladding members, valley members, and so on) or configuredfor use as the only heated element on a roof. Likewise, any of thecomponents of the system herein disclosed may be used in connection withother components, in some embodiments in a modularly expanding fashion,or singly.

FIG. 11 is an end cap 980 configured for use with a heated roof system.In some embodiments such an end cap 980 may be used to seal the sideportions of other components herein described, such as a roof panel witha top member, a bottom member, and a heated insert, such as the roofpanel of FIG. 3. The end cap 980 may be configured with a bottom flange981 that may be configured to be coupled to a roof under a bottom memberof a heated roof panel. The end cap 980 may also have a side portion 982configured to cover and seal a side portion of a heated roof panel, forexample, heated roof panels wherein the side of the heated insert isotherwise exposed. Finally, the end cap 980 may have a top flange 983configured to be disposed below the top member of a heated roof panel.

The examples and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed asmerely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation of the scope ofthe present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those havingskill in the art that changes may be made to the details of theabove-described embodiments without departing from the underlyingprinciples of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the scope ofthe invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and theirequivalents.

1. A heated roof panel comprising: a heated insert configured to receivea heating element; a bottom panel configured to couple to an outermargin of a roof; and a top panel configured to cover a region of aroof, cover the heated insert, and cover substantially all of the bottompanel, wherein the top panel comprises a thermally conductive material,the top panel comprising, an upper locking portion on an upper edge ofthe top panel, the upper locking portion configured to hook over andcover a top surface of an upper edge of the bottom panel, and a lowerlocking portion on a lower edge of the top panel comprising a convexportion configured to couple to the bottom panel by snapping in placeover a lower locking portion of the bottom panel.
 2. The heated roofpanel of claim 1, the bottom panel comprising a ridge having a heightmatching the heated insert.
 3. The heated roof panel of claim 2, whereinthe heated insert is disposed within a cavity formed between the toppanel, the ridge of the bottom panel, and the bottom panel.
 4. Theheated roof panel of claim 1, wherein the heated insert is an aluminumextrusion.
 5. The heated roof panel of claim 1, further comprising anend cap coupled to the roof panel and configured to cover an end of theheated insert.
 6. The heated roof panel of claim 1, wherein the toppanel is configured to couple to the heated insert.
 7. The heated roofpanel of claim 1, wherein the top panel further comprises a cleatconfigured to prevent snow from sliding past the cleat.
 8. A roof panelto inhibit snow and ice build-up, comprising: a bottom panel configuredto couple to a roof; a top panel covering substantially all of thebottom panel, a portion of the top panel being separated from the bottompanel to form a cavity therebetween, wherein the top panel is configuredto couple to the bottom panel without using piercing fasteners, whereinthe bottom and the top panel comprise, first ends configured to engageto form a seal, wherein a first end of the top panel comprises a lockingportion configured to hook over a first end of the bottom panel andcover a top surface of the first end of the bottom panel, and secondends distal from the first ends comprising complementary convex shapedportions configured to enable the top and bottom panels to coupletogether by snapping a second end of the top panel over a second end ofthe bottom panel; and a heated insert disposed within the cavity, theheated insert being operable to hold a heating element that heats thetop panel.
 9. The roof panel of claim 8, wherein the first end of thebottom panel includes a tab portion that is shaped to mate with a slotportion of the first end of the top panel.
 10. The roof panel of claim8, wherein the heated insert comprises an aluminum extrusion.
 11. Theroof panel of claim 8, further comprising an end cap configured tocouple to the side of the roof panel.
 12. A heated roof panelcomprising: a heated insert configured to receive a heating element; abottom panel configured to attach to an outer margin of a roof, thebottom panel comprising a raised locking portion integrated with a lowerend of the bottom panel; and a top panel configured to cover the heatedinsert and cover a region of the roof and substantially all of thebottom panel, the top panel comprising, a locking portion on a lower endcorresponding to the raised locking portion of the bottom panel, and alocking portion on an upper end configured to hook to a correspondinglocking feature and cover a top surface of an upper end of the bottompanel; wherein the locking portion on the lower end of the top panel andthe raised locking portion of the bottom panel comprise correspondingshapes for securing the top panel to the bottom panel by snapping thelower end of the top panel over the raised locking portion of the bottompanel, and wherein the heated insert is configured to be disposed withina cavity formed between the top panel, the bottom panel, and the lockingportion of the bottom panel.
 13. The heated roof panel of claim 12,wherein the locking portion on the lower end of the top panel and theraised locking portion of the bottom panel are generally convex inshape.
 14. The heated roof panel of claim 12, wherein the lockingportion on the lower end of the top panel and the raised locking portionof the bottom panel are generally concave in shape.
 15. The heated roofpanel of claim 12, wherein the heated insert is an aluminum extrusion.16. The heated roof panel of claim 12, wherein an upper end of thebottom panel includes a tab portion that is shaped to mate with thelocking portion of the top panel comprising a slot portion, wherein thetab portion and the slot portion are located on upper ends of the bottompanel and top panel distal from the locking portion on the lower end ofthe top panel and the raised locking portion of the bottom panel. 17.The heated roof panel of claim 12, wherein the top panel is configuredto couple to the heated insert.
 18. The heated roof panel of claim 12,wherein the top panel further comprises a cleat configured to preventsnow from sliding past the cleat.
 19. A heated roof panel comprising: afirst heated insert; a second heated insert; a bottom member configuredto cover a region of a roof comprising a valley of the roof, wherein thebottom member comprises a panel valley to match the valley of the roof,a first edge on a first side of the panel valley, and a second edge on asecond side of the panel valley; a first top member comprising an upperend configured to hook over the first edge of the bottom member and alower end configured to engage a side of the first heating insert; and asecond top member comprising an upper end configured to hook over thesecond edge of the bottom member and a lower end configured to engage aside of the second heating insert.
 20. The heated roof panel of claim19, wherein the upper end of the first top member comprises a slot tohook over the first edge of the lower member and the upper end of thesecond top member comprises a slot to hook over the second edge of thelower member.
 21. The heated roof panel of claim 19, wherein the firstside is symmetrical with the second side of the bottom member.